Category: Roster

Pedro Martinez Pondering Retirement

Multiple media sources today are reporting that Pedro Martinez is considering retirement. No, not because he’s spent so much time on the disabled list over the last three seasons. It’s because his 78 year old father is suffering from a form of brain cancer.

Pedro has played for 17 years in the big leagues and he’s made more than $134 million dollars through the 2007 season. He’s won three Cy Young Awards. What else is left for him to do?

He’ll be a free agent after this season and I’m hoping that the Mets don’t re-sign him. It was great when he got here in 2005 to add some life to a lifeless franchise. But he just hasn’t produced over the past three years. Did you know that his record is 12-9 since 2006?

If the Mets do re-sign him it should be for one year maximum. Of course, that would be bucking the Omar Minaya trend of signing aging players to long term contracts. I do realize that.

The Mets would be better off pursuing C.C. Sabbathia or one of the other free agents available after this season.

Pedro To Join Mets In Atlanta

Pedro Martinez threw 4.1 innings of a simulated game today in Florida. He threw 77 pitches and plans to have a bullpen session on Wednesday or Thursday in Atlanta.

Great news for the Mets. If he’s still got something left in the tank it’ll be a huge boost for the team. He’s got to be motivated to get some innings pitched this season considering it’s his walk year.

Injury Updates: Martinez and Castillo

Luis Castillo played today despite reports that he might be headed to the 15 day disabled list. He injured his quadriceps and missed two games. Hopefully, he can continue to play. If he has to go on the disabled list now it can’t be retroactive to the day he got hurt because he played in today’s game.

Pedro Martinez threw a well publicized simulated game in Florida yesterday. He had a 55 pitch workout and felt good afterward. His ailing hamstring doesn’t appear to be giving him any trouble. The plan is for him to throw another 75-80 pitch simulated game in about five days. Then he’ll be ready to begin pitching in rehab games. So we’re still looking at about three weeks before we’ll see him back with the team.

Mets Should Pay John Maine Now

Mets pitcher John Maine before a Mets/Devil Rays spring training game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.Image via Wikipedia

The New York Mets should continue the recent trend in baseball by locking up their young talent with long term contracts. The Mets have already done that with Jose Reyes and David Wright. So this practice wouldn’t be out of character for the team. Other teams have started getting in on this as well. Last month the Rays signed Evan Longoria to a six year deal.

John Maine deserves a long term deal now. The benefit is avoiding a contentious arbitration hearing where the team is forced into a antagonistic role of pointing out the players faults. The Mets have done a great job of avoiding that until this season when Oliver Perez beat the Mets in arbitration to earn $6.5 million this season. Continue reading “Mets Should Pay John Maine Now”

Flurry Of Roster Moves Shakes Up Mets

WFAN’s Mike and the Mad Dog just discussed several roster moves for the Mets today:

  • Mets purchase the contract of Claudio Vargas
  • Mets purchase the contract of Fernando Tatis
  • Mets activate Matt Wise from the disabled list
  • Angel Pagan was placed on the 15 day disabled list
  • Nelson Figueroa was designated for assignment
  • Jorge Sosa was designated for assignment

The purchase of Fernando Tatis’ contract is a bit of a surprise. Luis Castillo must be hurt enough so that the Mets feel like they need some infield insurance. Tatis can provide that if Castillo is out for a week or more.

Claudio Vargas will pitch Wednesday against the Nationals. Who knows what we’ll get from him? He was released by the Brewers for a reason, so don’t expect miracles from him. We should be thrilled to get five innings out of him. He was on the street a month ago.

The Nelson Figueroa dream comes to an end for now. He was a great story but just couldn’t get major league hitters out consistently. He was fantastic the first time through the order and may have been more suited for a relief role.

I’m ecstatic that Omar Minaya designated Sosa. This is best for the team despite the fact that they may have to eat $1.5 million of his salary if he doesn’t accept a minor league assignment. Joe Smith earned the right to stay on the team. I would’ve been livid if Minaya kept Sosa instead of Smith. It would have displayed a lack of concern for winning now. Not to mention the fact that it may have adversely affected Willie Randolph’s ability to keep his job. Good job Omar!

Matt Wise Back In New York

Relief pitcher Matt Wise is in New York and ready to be activated from the disabled list. Reports from MLB.com state that Joe Smith will be sent to New Orleans. Willie Randolph was non-committal about whether Smith or Jorge Sosa would go when Wise came back if you listened to his interview on WFAN yesterday.

I’d prefer to see the Mets DFA Jorge Sosa. His $2 million salary and poor performance would most likely preclude him from being claimed from waivers. If he decided to become a free agent it would be fine with me.

Joe Smith has done a nice job with the Mets and doesn’t deserve to be sent down to New Orleans.

Ramon Castro Activated

Mets catcher Ramón Castro during a Mets/Devil Rays spring training game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.Image via Wikipedia

Backup catcher Ramon Castro was activated from the disabled list yesterday and Raul Casanova was designated for assignment. Hopefully, Casanova will clear waivers so he can stay with the Mets in New Orleans. He did a fantastic job while he was here.

Unfortunately for Casanova, Ramon Castro is the best backup catcher in baseball. It’s great to have him back with the team.